Shriek

A large worm-like predator only living on shriek point, these creatures are both feared and hunted, for different reasons however.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They have a large maggoty body averaging at around 5 feet long. They also have no skeleton, but they do have a notocord, a simple backbone, you could say. On their armored helmet is a large mandable sitiuated on an arm like a grabby toy.

Biological Traits

A large, armored helmet with an arm coming off of it as a mouth is its head. Everything else except the legs looks a lot like a maggot or worm.

Genetics and Reproduction

They are called a shriek for one simple reason, it's what they do during breeding season. Constantly, for weeks. You should be thankful if you can't hear it from Thormand! There are no genders, but like the shredders, there need to be two present. After a harsh mating, they two split up to lay the eggs in moist sand.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once the eggs hatch into larvae, they are nearly harmless, rarely drawing blood from their bite. After eating plants, yes plants, for its first 4 months of life, it forms a cocoon and changes into a grub. The grub is interesting, it doesn't have legs like the adult, but it also possesses venom, something which the adult has. It's still being argued over if it has a complete or incomplete metamorphosis. After a few months, now killing things, the grub makes a cocoon and emerges as an adult shriek.

Ecology and Habitats

Plain sand, with a slight rain in the wet season. These can often be seen in the same immediate area as the clasps.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As a larva, any plant in the area. As a grub and adult, anything that moves is potential prey. Their only habits are really just sitting still under the sand waiting. If they find a body of water, sometimes they will swim around for a bit, swelling up to a much larger size than before.

Biological Cycle

Every few weeks, they shed their skins and grow larger. In the driest of months, they enter a state of dormancy, to wait it out.

Additional Information

Social Structure

If they come across each other outside of mating season, their menu is expanding.

Domestication

If anyone has tried, they have failed on multiple levels.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The only uses I can think of are as guards, but they might eat the guarded instead.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Shriek point is their one and only hope, except maybe in a private collection.

Average Intelligence

Low to say the least. Much more brawn than brain to say more. As stupid as the sand it lives in to say a lot.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Lacking eyes, they use hearing and sensory hairs to wait for prey underneath the sand, similarly to the clasp.

Scientific Name

Haren Vermis

Origin/Ancestry

It is thought they developed on the point itself, unlike other worms, who came from the water.

Lifespan

Upwards of twelve years.

Conservation Status

This species is only hunted for a right of passage, or killed in defense.

Average Height

Somewhere around a foot and a half when not standing.

Average Weight

4-500 pounds.

Average Length

Averaging at around 5-6 feet, the largest recorded specimen was over 8 feet long.

Average Physique

Large, bulbous and human skin-like texture.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their helmet is a light grey color and their body is tannish yellow.